PET Detector Position Correction via Optical Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing demand for higher spatial resolution in nuclear medical diagnostic apparatuses leads to higher costs and weight due to the need for precise and deformation-resistant components, making it challenging to achieve accurate positional alignment of detector modules, which degrades image quality.

Innovation Solution

A nuclear medical diagnostic apparatus that includes processing circuitry to acquire and correct the positional information of PET detector modules using optical information, allowing for software-based correction of hardware-based displacement, thereby improving image quality without the need for heavy metal components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If metal components are used to withstand deformation and ensure positional accuracy, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositional accuracyVSAvoidapparatus weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of using heavy metal components to ensure positional accuracy with an optical measurement and software correction system. An optical camera captures images of detector modules, and processing circuitry calculates and corrects positional deviations through software algorithms, eliminating the need for deformation-resistant metal structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an optical copy/image of the detector modules using a camera system. Instead of physically constraining components to maintain precision, the system captures visual information and uses image processing to determine and correct positions, replacing physical rigidity with informational replication and processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If higher spatial resolution is required for the detector, then measurement precision is improved, but processing and assembling costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial resolutionVSAvoidprocessing and assembling costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical processing and assembly operations with optical imaging and software-based position correction. Instead of expending resources on precision mechanical manufacturing and assembly, the system uses a camera to capture detector module positions and algorithms to correct any deviations, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining high spatial resolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the approach from controlling physical parameters during manufacturing to correcting positional parameters through software processing. By capturing actual positions optically and adjusting them algorithmically, the system achieves high measurement precision without the corresponding increase in manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If detector modules are made with higher positional accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositional accuracyVSAvoidapparatus complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes complex mechanical positioning and constraint systems with a simpler optical measurement and software correction approach. The camera system captures positional information, and processing circuitry handles the correction, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving positional accuracy through computational methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for accurate correction of image quality degradation caused by detector module displacement with reduced processing and assembly costs, enabling lighter and more cost-effective apparatuses while maintaining high spatial resolution.

Implementation Method 1

acquire positional information of the at least one PET detector module based on optical information

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical imaging: Photography

Data Source

PatentUS10849572B2Nuclear medical diagnosis apparatus and position correction method

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 CANON MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a nuclear medical diagnostic apparatus includes at least one PET detector module and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire positional information of the at least one PET detector module based on optical information, and to correct a position of the at least one PET detector module based on the positional information.